Sustainable tour through Cordoba's Subbética
Exploring the Subbética Mountains is, for those who practice responsible tourism, a highly stimulating adventure. Furthermore, there are so many options that you'll need to visit again. Take note.
Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park - declared as such in 1988 - includes towns like Cabra, Rute, Carcabuey, Priego de Córdoba and the charming Doña Mencía. Furthermore, since 2006 it has held UNESCO recognition as a Geopark. Extensive valleys where limestone has surfaced, limestone pavements with cutting grooves, chasms that date back to the origins of the world almost… This karst landscape is so diverse you simply have to exploreit. It's a wonderful experience. The history of this geological heritage dates back more than 200 million years. However, there is much more to this region.
Cycle tourism on the Rail Trail
Exploring the countless trails that surround the towns of Cordoba's Subbética Mountains is a highly stimulating tourist attraction. The Rail Trail, which follows the old oil train route, is one of the many options available. If you opt for cycling tourism, get on your bike and enjoy a route where old railway architecture (with viaducts and tunnel included) is mixed with nature in extraordinary fashion. Facilities are excellent for cyclists, with bike parking areas in the six existing rest zones.
Discovering the lakes
The peaceful view of the lakes in this natural area is unforgettable. You can see species such as the mallard at Los Jarales Lake, and the interesting birdlife at Amarga Lake and Dulce Lake, both in Lucena. You can also spot migratory birds at El Conde Lake. Malpasillo Reservoir is another bird-watching destination, with rambling woods of unrivalled beauty near the village of Jauja. The Valdearenas area is another option. This space seems like an inland beach. Iznájar Reservoir, the king of Andalusia's reservoirs, closes avery interesting lake route.
It is at the impressive Iznájar Reservoir where you will find a marine resort. It has calm waters as well as white waters for fans of rafting, open kayaking… It also caters to people looking to enjoy canoeing, windsurfing and sailing.
Other paths and trails
If you are into walking, the Subbética appears as a huge sustainable tourism route. Sustainable means as long as visitors undertake tourism that is responsible to the environment. There are routes of low difficulty (barely 40-minutes' walk), such as El Salto del Caballo (Almedinilla), which starts at the Historic Museum/Fuente Ribera Space and coincides with an old Roman road; and more demanding trails, like Río Bailón, which will take you 6-7 hours, finishing in Zuheros and crossing Poljé de La Nava with spectacular views.
Behind Zuheros you will find an archaeological site with a name as attractive as it is worrying: Cueva de los Murciélagos (Bats Cave). Its titles as Natural Monument and Place of Cultural Interest make it a must-see point on this route through the Subbética region. This unique caves holds examples of cave art and yes, it is inhabited by four species of bat. This geological gem is also a site that houses human remains. Internationally renowned, it must form a part of your Subbética exploration.
